The outside of your home is the first thing that visitors will see when they arrive at your property, and it can therefore make a big difference in how they feel about the house as a whole. Outdoor home improvements don't have to be complicated or expensive. The following ideas will help you redo the look and feel of your home without causing a significant dent in your wallet.
Clean your house. While this statement typically applies to your indoor space, it is equally (if not more) important to focus a little attention on the exterior of your abode. You would be surprised how much difference it makes when you get rid of all the dirt on the walls of your house. Focus your attention near the door, as this is the area will others will get close enough to your exterior to notice whether it is clean or not. Also, make sure your windows and gutters are clear, too. Try to make a concerted effort to "clean up" regularly, perhaps once a month or so.
Add small but meaningful touches that others will appreciate. Is your mailbox old and rusty? Get a new one that matches your personality or that goes with the appearance of your home. Make sure your address numbers look nice and stand out. Paint your shutters so that they are bright and vibrant. Each of these things are small, simple changes, but they can really affect the overall appearance of your home. If you spend a few minutes walking around your property, you should be able to quickly come up with several things that need to be fixed or replaced.
Don't neglect your lawn. When your grass is long or overrun by weeds, your entire property looks disheveled. It doesn't cost much money to make sure your yard is trim and neat. Make sure your walkways are clear and that the bushes are cut back so that they aren't interfering with the walk space. If you have a little more money to spend, invest in some landscaping. Pick out a few annuals that will bloom year after year; these will add a much needed splash of color to the front of your home. Put down mulch to liven up your natural spaces. You can also add a few potted plants to your porch so that visitors are greeted with greenery when they walk up to ring your bell. You can spend as much or as little as you want on landscaping, but remember to make sure the basics are taken care of and then go from there.
No matter how nice the interior of your home is, guests are likely to form a negative impression of your living space if the exterior is unkempt. Luckily, it does not cost much to make a big difference in the way your house looks. Take the tips from this article and use them to make your home the envy of everyone in the neighborhood.